Email

Font Size

Pedophilia online is a misnomer, because pedophilia is often a thought not an action. The American Psychiatric Association defines pedophilia as recurrent, sexually arousing thoughts or fantasies, urges, or behavior that last at least six months and involve sexual activity with a child under the age of 13. It is crucial to understand that all individuals who prey on children online are not pedophiles, just as all pedophiles do not commit sexual crimes against children.

The Internet can still be a dangerous place that provides an opportunity for adults to exploit or victimize children. Three types of danger exist: children are solicited online to meet in person for sexual encounters, minors obtain access to pornographic Websites, and children are exploited for their depiction in child pornography. ...